Around The Diocese For Oct. 17
Offering a few clarifications
Father Eugene Schmitt, pastor at St. Peter Celestine Parish in Celestine and St. Raphael Parish in Dubois, writes in a recent bulletin:
“I would like to thank all of the people of St. Raphael and St. Celestine for their cooperation in working through the adjustments of going from four weekend Masses to three. I do feel the liturgies have been more vibrant and energetic since we have gone to three Masses.
“As most of you know, it was announced by the diocese that St. Raphael and St. Celestine will be merged together July 1, 2016. There are a few clarifications that I believe need to be addressed.
“One, the process of naming the new parish will be guided by the Parish Councils and the Cluster Council. In the end, the name that is chosen will then be sent to Bishop Charles for his approval along with the Priest Councils.
“Another item is that a pastor has to be named for the new parish. With the first round of mergers, the former pastor of the parishes merging was named as the new pastor, unless the priest or priests was retiring. Which means you’re probably stuck with me.
“A couple other important items to note with a merger, is that there will be one parish council and one finance committee. However, there will be representation from both parishes on these groups. There also will be only one office. However, I see the need for use of both facilities because of the release time religious education program at both Dubois and Celestine Elementary. Both schools are so close to the churches. I see Mass continuing on weekends and weekdays at both places.
“Another issue with the merger is that finances are put together. However, both parishes have about the same amount of money in savings. In my opinion, it would be much worse if one parish had a larger debt and the other had a huge surplus of money. Any endowments that have been specified and have the proper wording can be used for that church.”
Happy Birthday!
Deacon David Mayer, Holy Redeemer Parish, Evansville, celebrates his birthday Oct. 22.
Deacon David Rice, St. John Parish, Daylight, and director of the Clergy Personnel board, celebrates his birthday Oct. 23
Deacon Dan DeCastra, Good Shepherd Parish, Evansville, celebrates his birthday Oct. 28.
It’s a boy!
Congratulations to Allison Garrard, PE and health teacher at Mater Dei High School in Evansville, and her husband, Keith, on the birth of their son, Lincoln James.
Lincoln made his arrival September 23, weighing 7 lbs. 12 oz. and he was 20 1/2 inches long. His mom says he is already excited to be a future Wildcat!
It’s a girl!
“Please join me in congratulating Andrew Martin, a Catholic Charities family services counselor, and his wife, Jessica, on the birth of their baby girl,” writes Sharon Burns, director of Catholic Charities.
“Eleanor Anne Martin is 8 lbs, 12 oz and 21 inches long. Andrew reports that ‘both mother and baby are doing well -- no complications.’ Eleanor has an older sister, Ruth, age two and a half.”
Happy Birthday!
Rose Obert, parish catechetical leader at St. Bernard Parish, Snake Run, celebrates her birthday Oct. 28.
Congratulations
Sharon Burns, director of Catholic Charities, writes, “I invite all of you to join me in congratulating Andrew Martin who successfully completed his Licensed Clinical Social Worker examination on Friday.
“The requirements for licensure are rigorous and also include two years of supervised experience.
“Andrew offers individual, marital and family therapy in our Evansville and Princeton offices. He also provides school counseling to St. Joseph in Princeton.”
Student Council
Representatives on the Student Council at St. Matthew School in Mount Vernon include Blake Banks, Kyle Lindenschmidt, Hannah Carr, Madi Mohr, Lily Denning, David Powell, Emily Gagnon, Olivia Gerton and Ashton McCarty.
